Plan your trip · Shillong
Best time to visit Shillong
October to April is the easy window for Shillong, with clearer skies and cool days. June to September is the monsoon, and in this part of India that means a great deal of rain.
❄️ Winter
RecommendedOct – Mar
Cool, clear and dry — the peak season in the hills, with crisp mornings and chilly nights but no snow.
Pack: light layers with a warm sweater or jacket for early mornings and after dark.
Shines now: Laitlum Canyons, Shillong Peak
Plan a winter day →☀️ Summer
RecommendedApr – Jun
Warm days and pleasant evenings, with pre-monsoon showers building towards June.
Pack: light clothes by day and a light jacket for the evening.
Shines now: Laitlum Canyons, Shillong Peak
Plan a summer day →🌧️ Monsoon
Jul – Sep
Heavy rain, mist and full waterfalls, with a real risk of landslides, road closures and slippery trails.
Pack: a good rain shell, quick-dry layers and grippy shoes — and leech socks if you plan forest walks.
Shines now: Ward's Lake
Plan a monsoon day →October and November
The rain eases through October, though showers are still common early in the month. The waterfalls are still full, the hills are green, and the views open up. November is often the best month of the year: clear, cool and busy. The Himalayan cherry trees usually flower in November, and the Nongkrem dance at Smit falls in October or November in most years.
December to February
These are the coldest months. Days are often bright and dry, but nights can drop to around 5°C in January, and many rooms have no heating. Views from Shillong Peak and Laitlum are at their clearest. Christmas is the city's biggest celebration, with lit-up streets and churches. The waterfalls are thin by February.
March to May
Temperatures rise and the city is at its most comfortable during the day. In Dawki, the Umngot river is still clear until the rain starts. The Shad Suk Mynsiem dance is held in Shillong in April. From April, thunderstorms and pre-monsoon rain become more common, and by late May the rain is building.
June to September
The monsoon usually arrives in June, and June is often the wettest month of the year in Shillong. Rain can fall for days at a time, fog hides the viewpoints, and landslides can block hill roads, especially towards Cherrapunji and Dawki. The upside is full waterfalls and very green hills. If you come now, keep your plans flexible and allow for delays.
If you are planning day trips
Cherrapunji's falls are best just after the monsoon, in September and October. Dawki's river is clearest roughly from November to April, and boating stops when the river runs high. The root-bridge trails are safest outside the heaviest rain.
Questions
Shillong — FAQ
Is June a good time to visit Shillong?
Only if you want the rain. June is usually the wettest month in Shillong, with fog, long wet spells and a risk of landslides on hill roads. The waterfalls are full, but views are often hidden.
Does it snow in Shillong?
No, snow is not part of a normal Shillong winter. Winters are cold and mostly dry, with nights dropping to around 5°C in January.
When are the waterfalls near Shillong fullest?
From the height of the monsoon to October. September and October are a good balance, with strong waterfalls and more dry days.
When is the Umngot river at Dawki clear?
Roughly from November to April, in the dry months. In the monsoon the river turns muddy and boating often stops.